Charlie Fairhead - Casualty (UK) Characters - ShareTV Charlie Fairhead Derek Thompson is a British actor, most notable for playing Charlie Fairhead in the long-running BBC ... Character Bio Charlie is the lynchpin of the emergency department. He's been there since the beginning and has always proved to be an indispensable, trustworthy and diplomatic member of the team. People look up to him, and he always tries to be there when the ED family need him. Episode Screenshots Season 31 / Episode 11: - Thirty Years Charlie Fairhead: I remember when that was taken. We'd just worked an 18-hour shift together. Finished at 6 AM. Should have gone home and had some sleep. But we didn't. We went and had breakfast. In that horrible little greasy spoon on Elizabeth Street. Charlie Fairhead: We just couldn't stop laughing. It was the sweetest breakfast I've ever had. And do you know why I remember it? Because I dropped you home afterwards, and I came *that* close to kissing you. But I didn't, because I didn't want to be "that bloke". But that's something I've regretted from that day to this.

Lisa 'Duffy' Duffin: But what about Ryan, and fifteen years fighting for my marriage? Charlie Fairhead: What about *thirty* years together? Lisa 'Duffy' Duffin: I've got vomit in my hair. Charlie Fairhead: I know. I can smell it. Charlie Fairhead: I don't want to spend any more years apart. Lisa 'Duffy' Duffin: Neither do I. Derek Thompson lifts the lid on 25 years playing Charlie Fairhead on Casualty - Mirror Online Celebs Derek Thompson lifts the lid on 25 years playing Charlie Fairhead on Casualty A QUARTER of a century playing nurse Charlie Fairhead in Casualty has left Derek Thompson with more medical knowledge than the average student doctor. Share Derek Thompson as Charlie Fairhead (Pic: BBC) Share Get celebs updates directly to your inbox + Subscribe Thank you for subscribing! Could not subscribe, try again laterInvalid Email A QUARTER of a century playing nurse Charlie Fairhead in Casualty has left Derek Thompson with more medical knowledge than the average student doctor.

A young girl owes her life to the quick-thinking actor who saved her by using just two cans of Coke and he has given so many fake injections on the show that he even cured his own phobia of needles. Yet when Derek developed agonising neck cramps and uncontrollable head tremors a decade ago he wrongly diagnosed Parkinson’s disease – and spent two years in torment, too scared to seek medical help. Eventually Derek, 63, learned he was suffering from dystonia – a condition which causes his neck and head to seize up and “turn to stone”. But now, as he celebrates the 25th anniversary of Casualty this week, the much-loved star has revealed how doctors keep his neurological condition under control – with regular injections of Botox. Derek says: “I began to get cramps and spasms in my neck and tremors which caused my whole head to nod. “Being a typical bloke, I tried to ignore it. But when it got worse I started to fear I had Parkinson’s disease, like my mother. “But rather than do anything about it, I tried to tough it out and it made my life quite murderous.

“The silly thing is I was surrounded by the show’s medical advisers and it wouldn’t have taken them long to rule out Parkinson’s. Derek, whose character Charlie is so skilled at getting patients to open up to him, only found out the truth after telling his dad about the tremors. “He told me to seek a proper diagnosis and I was told it was dystonia. “In about 30% of sufferers, the spasms can spread into adjoining muscles – luckily it was benign so I knew I wouldn’t die. “I was told the only treatment was to have Botox injections to ‘paralyse’ the muscle so it doesn’t spasm, but my condition wasn’t severe enough then to need it. “But things gradually got worse and I had my first course of Botox six years ago. I had five small jabs in my neck muscles. “Afterwards I was able to move my neck and it was only when I was very tired that I felt a few cramps. “Now I have Botox every three months and am dramatically better than before. “Sometimes I think about trying to get the doctor to slip and inject me around the eyes to get rid of my wrinkles,” laughs Derek.

”And I’ve had a few taps on the shoulder from birds in pubs, who see a young and attractive neck… but get a terrible shock when I turn around!” Modesty aside, Derek’s army of appreciative female fans would all confirm he certainly doesn’t need artificial aids to keep his youthful good looks. Now the only original cast member still on the show, Derek has spent more than a third of his life playing Charlie. But he never tires of the hardworking charge nurse – and has spent just six months away from Casualty in its 25-year run. “I like the job, I’m happy,” he says. “There’s not one bit of me that wants to wander off. I feel so connected to the cast and crew and the aims of Casualty I don’t have any appetite for other work.” And it was thanks to Casualty that Derek fell in love with his second wife, actress Dee Sadler. The couple met in 1986 when Dee played a potholer, Maggie, in the show. Charlie had to rescue her when she was trapped underground after suffering a fit. “I met Dee filming series two and I was sure that I knew her from somewhere because we had this immediate connection,“ he smiles.

“Dee is the love of my life. “We’ve been together for 24 years now and we have a 22-year-old son called Charlie who is at film school. “And, no, we didn’t name him after my character in Casualty! Both Dee and myself have uncles called Charlie.” Derek was born in Belfast in April 1948, just three months after the NHS was created and his arrival could have featured in an episode of Casualty. “I was what they called ‘a blue baby’,” recalls Derek. “I wasn’t breathing when I was born but a big Aussie nurse – whose name I have never been able to find out – picked me up, threw me around and knocked the gunk out of my lungs.” A sickly child, Derek was ill with pneumonia and asthma, and developed a phobia of needles – but using them so often in the show has cured that. In his current storyline on the show, Charlie is running a drugs and recovery programme to help addicts. Later this month the drama reaches fever pitch when a desperate drug addict holds a needle to Charlie’s throat then steals the clinic’s entire drugs supply – forcing Charlie to justify the unit’s continued existence.

Derek has occasionally had to put Charlie’s skills into action in real life. “I know the basics,” he says. “I was once on a plane with a kid suffering an asthma attack and I asked the attendant to fetch a couple of cans of Coke. “A lot of asthma drugs are caffeine based… so, potentially, I saved her life by applying something that I learned from the show.” Being in such a long-running series means that Derek is routinely recognised by fans – especially in Bristol where the series was always filmed. But the BBC has moved production to Cardiff and Derek has criticised the decision. “Yes, I have campaigned to keep it in Bristol,” he says. “I thought it was a piece of bureaucratic nonsense when the move was signed off… Initially I couldn’t get an answer and I went knocking on doors at the BBC. They could have spent money and built a better studio here in Bristol. “Bristolians like to think they own Casualty and so they should.

“I get people coming up to me in when I am in Marks and Spencer saying ‘Are you all right, Charlie… I used to buy that pie but it’s got a load of salt in it…’ “I think of the generations that have come through a show like Casualty and they have been like family – they are all my kids – and I’ve been incredibly lucky to work with some great people. Working with Brenda Fricker (nurse Megan Roach) was pretty special. “It’s something that I would have done for free. I would have paid to work with her. She reduced the set to ashes – she boiled everyone… “She got the whole crew going. She is a stormtrooper. “She is the most fascinating actor that I have ever worked with and it’s funny that we are now old gits together. “We text each other about all the aches and pains that we have. “Working with Robson Green was quite something too.

From day one he was completely unreserved emotionally and professionally and he just got in there and did it so well.” Like us on Facebook Most Read Most Recent Most Read Most Recent BBC Casualty full cast list: Who plays Charlie, Zoe, Connie, Tess, Dylan, Dixie, Big Mac, Noel, Honey, Louise, Rita, Robyn, Max, Lofty, Lily, Ethan, Caleb, Iain and Jacob? Saturday 8 August 2015 at 8:50PM Charlie Fairhead (Derek Thompson) Number of years in A&E: 29 Who?: Charlie Fairhead is pretty much synonymous with Casualty, having been in the show since its very beginning. As the Emergency Nurse Practitioner Charlie has been involved in some interesting cases and many of the hospital staff really admire him. Charlie is very caring but can be tough as well; he definitely won’t stand for any nonsense. Memorable moments: Over the years Charlie has been dragged into all sorts of mayhem in the A&E but the most heartbreaking decision he has had to make was to assist friend Megan in her suicide.

Charlie has also spent plenty of time battling with his son Louis, taking on the responsibility of caring for him after his wife Baz died in a car accident. Previous roles: Thompson is best known for the part of Charlie Fairhead, having starred in spin-off shows Holby City and Holby Blue as the very same character. He’s also had roles in Minder and Bergerac, as well as playing Detective Sergeant Jimmy Fenton in The Gentle Touch during the 80s. Zoe Hanna (Sunetra Sarker) Number of years in A&E: 8 Who?: Zoe Hanna is a fantastic consultant, dedicated to her job and particularly ambitious. She has often been known too much for her partying and fun-loving nature but she is incredibly confident and can sweet-talk anyone. Memorable moments: When Zoe found out that she was infertile she tried to foster a child but came to the realisation that she would always put her career first. She’s been known for some of her rather risqué relationships within the ED, particularly with General Surgical Consultant Nick Jordan. When he left the department Zoe discovered that Nick had a fatal brain tumour and so she forged his signature to allow him life-saving treatment.

Previous roles: Sarker is best known for her roles as Anji Mittel in raunchy nurse show No Angels and Clare Burns in veterinary drama The Chase. She also starred in the 2014 series of Strictly Come Dancing, where she partnered Brendan Cole, making it to week ten of the contest. Connie Beauchamp (Amanda Mealing) Number of years in A&E: 1 Who?: General Lead Connie Beauchamp may have only spent one year with the Casualty team but she’s been training within Holby since 2004. She’s pushed throughout her life to get recognition for her talents and now that she’s made it to the top she isn’t going to let go. Memorable moments: Connie used to be the Clinical Lead of Cardiothoracic Surgery in Holby City and despite having moved to the ED relatively recently she’s had her fair share of drama, from clashing with Zoe to catching the eye of some of the younger doctors. Most recently Connie was involved in a euthanasia scandal after an elderly friend of hers tragically passed away. Although the majority of the staff were sympathetic towards Connie she was arrested after nurse Rita tampered with vital evidence in her office.

Previous roles: Mealing is most well known for her time as Connie in Holby City but she’s also made appearances in Four Weddings and a Funeral and Law and Order: UK. Back in the 90s she starred as Kate in mini-series Jake’s Progress with Robert Lindsay and also as Ruth Manning in Russell T Davies’ show The Grand. Tess Bateman (Suzanne Packer) Number of years in A&E: 12 Who?: Tess Bateman is very traditional in her approach to running the ED. As Senior Ward Sister she is used to making people stick to the rules and sometimes this can cause a clash between herself and the younger staff who see her as a bit of a stiff. But they usually find that in their darkest hour Tess will be by their side because she really does care. Memorable moments: Tess was left pretty shocked when her husband Mike filed for divorce, and she struggled to come to terms with her son Sam’s bipolar disorder. Tess has had some really tough times: being drugged by a crazed patient, impaling herself on a pole at a building site and even being forced to take the blame for the death of a young boy.

Tess also had an affair with younger nurse Adrian Fletcher, splitting up his marriage and subsequently choosing to abort the pregnancy that came from their dalliance. Previous roles: Aside from playing Tess in Holby City, Packer also appeared for a few one-off episodes in Channel 4 soap Brookside as Josie Johnson. A lot of people also don’t know that she is the sister of athlete turned presenter Colin Jackson. Dylan Keogh (William Beck) Number of years in A&E: 2 Who?: A Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Dylan joined the show in 2011 but had a two-year break, returning to the ED in late 2014. He’s a very cynical character with a dry sense of humour and though he isn’t necessarily the most fun to be around he is a great doctor – if you’ve got a strange and rare disease then Dr Keogh will definitely ensure the correct diagnosis. Memorable moments: Dylan finds it hard to read patients and often keeps them at arm’s length which led to the death of paramedic Polly when he failed to notice signs of PTSD in a patient.

When Dylan’s registrar wife Sam landed a job at the ED he pretended that she didn’t exist and it wasn’t until a fire led to him needing a next of kin that the ED discovered the truth about Sam and Dylan’s relationship, which eventually caused him to leave. Previous roles: Beck recently had a role in ITV’s period drama The Great Fire as Richard Smith and played one of Little John’s gang, Roy, in BBC drama Robin Hood. He’s also made appearances in Hustle, Whitechapel and Death in Paradise. Kathleen “Dixie” Dixon (Jane Hazlegrove) Number of years in A&E: 9 Who?: Paramedic Dixie is a barrel of laughs. She’s fun and outgoing and her openness means she makes friends easily. She will always stand up for what she believes in but watch out for her practical jokes. Memorable moments: Dixie’s relationship with best friend Jeff Collier has fuelled her key storylines over the years. Despite being gay she married Jeff, desperate to hide her sexuality from her father who discovered the truth on his deathbed.

As their marriage is one purely of friendship Jeff prepared to ask Dixie for a divorce in order to propose to his new girlfriend but as the pair attended a road accident involving their ED peers Jeff was tragically killed and Dixie has since struggled to cope without him. Previous roles: Hazlegrove has made one-off appearances in Coronation Street, Jonathan Creek and A Touch of Frost but in 2002 she starred in six episodes of Silent Witness as Rosemary Mason, the main receptionist at the Lyell Centre. Mackenzie “Big Mac” Chalker (Charles Dale) Number of years in A&E: 8 Who?: Healthcare Assistant Big Mac is the one character who will always have a smile on his face. He’s cheery, unlucky in love, but always optimistic and helpful. He can be a bit grouchy but once you get to know him you see that he has a much softer side. Memorable moments: Big Mac first joined the show as a porter and though at first he was very much a background character he has really come into his own. As a Falklands War veteran Mac has often been preoccupied with his feelings about war, even becoming a vigilante of sorts within the Farmead Estate.

Mac is great friends with receptionist Noel Garcia and they’re often seen quizzing each other and sharing a joke. Previous roles: Dale has appeared in shows Judge John Deed, New Tricks and The Royal but is probably most known for his roles as Dennis Stringer in Coronation Street and as Robson Green’s best friend Barry Scott in BBC drama Rocket Man. Noel Garcia (Tony Marshall) Number of years in A&E: 7 Who?: Receptionist Noel is very similar to Mac, being the joker of the group and always the one likely to be behind any pranks. He is just as optimistic as Mac but likes to be taken seriously – he considers his job to be of the same importance as the medical staff and doesn’t like to be told otherwise. Memorable moments: Noel has really come to the fore of late, adding the comedic elements that darker parts of Casualty sometimes really need. Some of his more emotional plot lines involved his father failing to recognise him after being diagnosed with dementia and the more recent revelation that staff member Honey Wright is in fact his daughter.

Previous roles: Garcia has popped up in Only Fools and Horses and The Queen’s Nose and before his stint in Casualty he appeared as barman Nelson in Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes. Honey Wright (Chelsee Healey) Number of years in A&E: 1 Who?: Barista Honey is the happy-go-lucky tea lady of the show. She is fun and bubbly with a big personality. Memorable moments: Honey arrived at the ED with a big secret: Noel is actually her father. Whilst auditioning for a pole-dancing job she injured her ankle but desperate to keep it a secret she called on the help of registrar Ethan. Following a kiss with Ethan, Honey left the show in February but returned over the summer, surprising both Noel and Ethan. Previous roles: Healey is most known for her role as troubled teenager Janeece Bryant in Waterloo Road, which she starred in for six years. Like Casulaty co-star Sunetra Sarker, she was a Strictly Come Dancing contestant, making it to the final in 2011 alongside partner Pasha Kovalev.

Louise Tyler (Azuka Oforka) Number of years in A&E: 4 Who?: Receptionist turned Staff Nurse Louise first appeared in the show as an ambulance dispatcher in 2011 before returning for a more permanent role in 2012. She is organised, efficient and meticulous which stands her in good stead at Holby. Just don’t get on her bad side or she might give you a dressing down. Memorable moments: Louise and Dixie got off to a very bad start but after finding out about Louise’s fear of blood Dixie helped her overcome her phobia. Louise has had plenty of confrontations with both Big Mac and Noel but has helped them through some tough times too. Previous roles: The role of Louise was Oforka’s TV break, but she starred in a one-off episode of The Bill prior to joining the Casualty team. Rita Freeman (Chloe Howman) Number of years in A&E: 2 Who?: As a Staff Nurse Rita doesn’t take any nonsense and will care for the patient no matter what. She’s exactly the kind of person to rely on in times of trouble but if you get caught up with her reckless streak you might find yourself facing the consequences.

Memorable moments: Rita’s biggest storylines have been pretty controversial, from a battle with alcoholism to telling the ED her husband was dead when he was in fact in prison for sex offences. Rita has also had continual confrontations with Connie, the latter blaming Rita for her daughter’s decision to move to New York. Rita then told the police that she believed Connie had assisted an elderly man in his death but Charlie managed to put a stop to it when he realised that it wasn’t the full story. Previous roles: Howman started her career as Julie-Ann Jones in Family Affairs and also made a name for herself as Helen in Life Begins. In 2007 she starred in Casualty spin-off show Holby Blue as PC Kelly Cooper. Robyn Miller (Amanda Henderson) Number of years in A&E: 2 Who?: Band 5 Nurse Robyn is a friendly and bubbly character. She’s great at caring for patients, finding it much easier to look after them than to deal with the more academic side of her job. She’s a chatterbox so even though she’s a great friend if you have any secrets it’s probably best not to let her in on them.

Memorable moments: Robyn has constantly shown herself to be a kind and thoughtful woman, helping both Lofty and her stepbrother Max get jobs within the ED. More recently Robyn has been embroiled in an unrequited love storyline with friend Lofty who doesn’t quite reciprocate her feelings whilst also being romantically involved with courier Zach. Previous roles: Casualty is Henderson’s big break with only previous shows Mount Pleasant and Wild Bill to add to her TV CV. Max Walker (Jamie Davis) Number of years in A&E: 2 Who?: Porter Max is a bit of a daydreamer and everything is a distraction from his real love, music. He’s a great people person and similar to stepsister Robyn in terms of friendliness and attitude. Memorable moments: Despite being a bit of a playboy at first Max has fallen in love with Zoe pretty hard. Their relationship has been tough at times, the two being at opposite ends of the career ladder at Holby. In June the couple moved in together and it looks likely that there could be a Holby wedding on the horizon.

Previous roles: Davis has had plenty of roles to sink his teeth into from Harley Lawson in Footballer’s Wives to Alex Partridge in Candy Cabs. In 2012 he took on the part of Calum in Shameless and Gerry in ITV2 teen show Switch. Ben “Lofty” Chiltern (Lee Mead) Number of years in A&E: 1 Who?: Lofty is a Band 5 Nurse who stumbled his way into a job in the ED. He is warm and kind and often the object of many attractions. He can be a bit oblivious and bumbling but he’s got a good heart. Memorable moments: He started out in the show hiding in Robyn’s loft and after convincing her that he wasn’t robbing the place they ended up becoming firm friends. Lofty was suspended after disobeying the rules and helping Dixie when a patient wanted to see his dying mother but upon his return Lofty was hailed a hero after risking smoke-related injuries to try to save a young boy. Previous roles: Mead is a musical star, having appeared on Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s talent show Any Dream Will Do in 2007 where he won the starring role of Joseph in the West End.

He’s since played Fiyero in Wicked and Emmett in Legally Blonde, both in the West End. Lily Chao (Crystal Yu) Number of years in A&E: 2 Who?: CT-1 Doctor Lily is incredibly academic and is reaching for the stars in her career. Though brainy and fabulous her bedside manner is often lacking but she isn’t bothered that she's not well liked by the others. She’d be a great doctor if you were ill but be aware that she may be less than sympathetic. Memorable moments: Throughout her time in the ED numerous members of staff have attempted to teach her a bedside manner, without much luck. Lily once performed a risky operation on a patient and her mentor Ash pretended that the patient had died in order to teach her a lesson. Lily often pushes herself too far and, more recently, on her way home from a long shift, she fell asleep whilst driving. Ashamed by her actions she handed in her resignation, but was stopped by Connie. Previous roles: Playing Lily is Yu’s first recurring role in any TV drama. She has previously appeared in smaller parts in shows such as Dream Team and Diamond Geezer.

Ethan Hardy (George Rainsford) Number of years in A&E: 1 Who?: Registrar Ethan is very academic and relatively shy. He has lived in the shadow of his brother Cal for a long time and struggles to come out of his shell. He is a loveable character and definitely the type of thorough doctor that you’d want to be in charge of your case. Memorable moments: When Ethan arrived at the ED he was struggling to cope with the death of his mother and Cal’s appearance left him with no end of problems. During the accident, which resulted in the death of Jeff, Ethan was taken unconscious to the ED where his brother performed a life-saving operation on him. Ethan is very pro-active within the department and presented a cost-cutting proposal to Connie, which Cal later stole. Previous roles: Casualty isn’t the first time that Rainsford has worked with bodies, previously starring as Jimmy in Call the Midwife and Luke in Waking the Dead. He’s had a few smaller roles too, as Tim in Secret Diary of a Call Girl and as a waiter in British film Wild Target. Caleb Knight (Richard Winsor) Number of years in A&E: 1 Who?: Registrar Cal lives life in the fast lane.

He’s a constant annoyance to his brother Ethan as he always takes over the limelight. He’s incredibly confident and an instinctive doctor but also a bit of a womaniser. Memorable moments: Cal is a charmer and ended up sleeping with a younger girl who turned out to be one of his first patients at Holby. Ignoring other patients for the advances of a pretty blonde, Caleb’s most memorable storyline was his recent love affair with Taylor. Stealing money from his brother to help fund her charity, which was revealed to be completely fake, caused Cal a lot of grief and broke his heart in the process. Previous roles: Winsor is actually a trained dancer who has starred in many Matthew Bourne productions, his film credit coming from an appearance as Tomas in Street Dance. Prior to Casualty he took on the role of Father Francis in Hollyoaks. Iain Dean (Michael Stevenson) Number of years in A&E: 3 Who?: Paramedic Iain is a little over-confident and needs to be kept in line by the other staff. An ex-army man he occasionally struggles with the differences between Afghanistan and Holby, still wanting to be the hero. He’s a man’s man but that doesn’t mean he isn’t caring.

Memorable moments: He arrived in 2012 as an army colleague of Dylan’s wife Sam, returning later as a student paramedic. He proved his worth to the team during a bus crash where he rescued a patient moments before the vehicle exploded. Previous roles: Stevenson played Marcus in the second series of The Syndicate and has produced the short films A Thousand Empty Glasses, The Outside In and Simon Says. Jacob Masters (Charles Venn) Number of years in A&E: 0 Who?: Senior Staff Nurse Jacob has ruffled feathers since he joined the ED a few weeks ago. He’s impulsive and bossy but nonetheless pretty impressive. Memorable moments: When he first entered the ED he made a strong impression on the staff by demanding treatment for his sick friend, muscling his way into the department. Whilst having only been in the show a matter of weeks at the time of writing, the Casualty summer trailer has teased the possibility of a future romance with Connie. Previous roles: For soap fans Venn will be most recognisable as Bianca Butcher’s ex-flame Ray in EastEnders, as Tremaine Gidigbi in Footballer’s Wives and as Curtis Alexander in Dream Team.

Casualty is on Saturday nights on BBC1 CHARLIE FAIRHEAD | Casualty: the 10 best characters - TV TV Previous slide Next slide 3 of 11 View All Skip Ad CHARLIE FAIRHEAD Good old Charlie Fairhead - the lynchpin of Holby's emergency department and the longest-serving character. Derek Thompson has played the role of the staff nurse for 30 years and is also the only remaining original character to have appeared continuously since the first episode on September 6, 1986. Let's face it, he most probably has more medical knowledge than the average doctor. Charlie is known for dating numerous women but his on/off relationship with Barbara "Baz" Wilder resulted in a son, Louis. Botox transformed my life says Casualty's Charlie | Daily Mail Online Botox transformed my life says Casualty's Charlie Last updated at 15:10 17 October 2006 For years Derek Thompson, the Casualty star, tried to hide the fact he suffered from dystonia, a neurological disorder which caused his neck and head to spasm.

Here, Derek, 58, who lives with his partner, Sue, and their son, Charlie, 17, in Bristol, talks for the first time about the disease - and how treatment saved his career: For 20 years I have played Charlie Fairhead, the much loved charge nurse in BBC1's Casualty, who is so good at getting his patients to open up to him. Yet when I found myself suffering baffling and painful symptoms, it was more than two years before I sought medical help. In the meantime I tormented myself with fears that, like my mother, I was suffering from Parkinson's disease. I was a sickly child, always ill with pneumonia and asthma, and grew into an adult obsessed with fitness. That stood me in good stead in my career, especially with the hectic filming schedule on Casualty. But about five years ago, I was on a short break in Spain when I woke up one morning feeling strange - my neck was twitching, which was causing my whole head to nod. What I didn't know then was that though the movement felt almost violent, it didn't appear like that to anyone else. I look back now and think how curious that I didn't find it scary.

Eventually, it eased off and I went down to breakfast. Then, towards the end of the day, when I was tired, it started up again and carried on until I went to bed. I was ready for the twitching to present itself again the next morning, but it had gone. Back on the set a couple of weeks later, I noticed that whenever I was tired, I would get really vicious cramps in my neck, as if I'd wrenched a muscle. I'd suffered whiplash in a car accident 16 years ago and assumed the neck problem was linked to this, as well as to age and physical deterioration. Over the next year, I suffered the odd bout of head tremors, which were more annoying than painful. But what was much more tedious was the dull pain of frequent neck cramps - at the most inconvenient times and nearly always when I was working and under pressure. Though the tremors were hardly visible to the observer, things became much worse shortly after my mother died three years ago, at the age of 81, from pneumonia. It was a stressful time for me and I developed major tremors and sudden, uncontrollable movements of my head, as if I was nodding from side to side.

They could last for several hours, but at other times they would be more transient. The spasms felt really dreadful because of my inability to do anything other than simply wait for the episode to pass. I thought I had Parkinson's, but rather than doing anything about it, I was in denial. I wouldn't face up to what was happening or let anyone know about it. I was good at disguising the movement and would pass it off, yet again, as the old whiplash injury. I thought I would tough it out until the day I found myself knocking on the Parkinson's specialist's door. The silly thing was that I was surrounded by the medical advisers to the show - I now know it wouldn't have taken them long to rule out Parkinson's. Then, and I don't know why, I suddenly told my father I was having severe tremors in my neck and head and it must be Parkinson's. He told me to seek a proper diagnosis, and so in 2003, I was referred to a neurologist. He put me through 15 minutes of tests, such as standing on one leg and waving my arms about, and hand and eye co-ordination tests.

He announced I had dystonia, explaining that it is caused by a malfunction of messages from the basal ganglia, the area of the brain that controls movement. While it's not clear why it happens, it normally strikes in the 30s or 40s when it is localised. There are various forms, including laryngeal dystonia, which affects the vocal cords and makes the voice 'strangulated', and blepharospasm, which causes the eyelids to shut tight, effectively blinding sufferers. Focal dystonia of the neck is most common in the over-40s; while the muscle spasms aren't permanent, they can sometimes last for hours at a time. In 30 per cent of sufferers, the spasms can spread into adjoining muscles, but I would have to wait and see. The good news was that it was benign - I wouldn't die of it. I was told the only viable treatment is injections of botulinum toxin - Botox - to 'paralyse' the muscle so it doesn't spasm, but my condition wasn't acute enough to need it. I went away happy.

For the next couple of years, I adapted to the condition, though things gradually got worse. Everyday life was fine, but work was a different story. Close-ups were difficult; I could hold a particular position for the camera, but if, say, lighting dictated I had to turn in the opposite direction, the movement could be awkward and I would end up with my chin jutting up at a strange angle. Of course, my family knew about the condition, but I simply told colleagues I had a neck injury and couldn't do certain movements. I had good days, when the symptoms were muted, and then there were the bad days, when I was stressed and fatigued - towards the end of shooting, my neck would completely lock up. The most stomach-churning moments were when I watched the programme and could see how my performance had been affected by the dystonia. Once, I had a long speech to deliver, but towards the end my voice lost its way because I had been concentrating on trying to control my neck. I'd been taught coping mechanisms. Placing a finger on the chin or the cheeks plays a sensory trick on the brain.

Such gestures interrupt the inappropriate messages being sent to the muscles from the basal ganglia and momentarily stop the spasms and tremors. At first, it was a novelty. It annoyed me, but I channelled that annoyance into the performance. But it moved from being a challenge to a struggle. I'm an optimistic person and never envisaged the moment when I might have to give up acting, but my patience was wearing thin. I'd never admitted what a burden it was keeping this secret from so many people, but when I spoke to someone on the Dystonia Society helpline I felt the weight being lifted off my shoulders. I went to see Professor Kailash Bhatia at the Institute of Neurology, who thought I would be a good candidate for Botox. I had my first course a year ago, five tiny jabs in the neck muscles using a long, thin needle. 'Is that it?' I thought. But over the next week the effects were profound. Every day was a good day. I could move my neck freely and only when I was very tired was there a twinge of cramping.

Towards the end of each threemonth cycle, the cramps increase, but even then I am 70 per cent better than before the injections. I'd forgotten what it felt like to have easy movement and to be free of the nagging pain. Thanks to the Dystonia Society, I've learned a lot more about the illness and last weekend at their AGM they made me patron. I am speaking out about it for the first time because I want to increase awareness of this debilitating condition. I am lucky Botox is particularly beneficial to my kind of dystonia - it is very difficult to inject the vocal cords in those suffering from laryngeal dystonia, for instance. For the worst affected, deep brain stimulation may be the answer. An implanted pulse generator, similar to a heart pacemaker, sends electrical currents through electrodes in the brain. These block the signals causing the disabling symptoms.

The Dystonia Society helpline: 0845 458 6322; Casualty star Gregory Foreman: 'I visited real-life crack den to research junkie role' - Mirror Online TV Casualty star Gregory Foreman: 'I visited real-life crack den to research junkie role' The actor, who plays drug addict Louis Fairhead, son of nurse Charlie, said of his visit: "It deeply affected me" Share Drug addict: Gregory Foreman (r) as Louis Fairhead in Casualty (Photo: BBC) Share Get celebs updates directly to your inbox + Subscribe Thank you for subscribing! Could not subscribe, try again laterInvalid Email Casualty bad boy Gregory Foreman has told how he visited a real crack house to research his role as junkie Louis Fairhead. And the actor, 26, admitted being shocked by the squalor in the den – not far from the show’s studios, writes Nigel Pauley in the Sunday People . “I’d spoken to ex-junkies and counsellors as well as researched drug abuse online,” said Gregory, who has played the son of nurse Charlie Fairhead for a decade.

“But to understand for my role how a junkie such as Louis lives I needed to see for myself what existence is like for a heavy drug user. Research: Gregory (r) says he visited a real-life crack den to help him understand his role (Photo: BBC) “I was taken to a derelict building used as a crack den in Cardiff and it was horrific – the helplessness, squalor and smell. "It deeply affected me and brought home how dreadful addiction to hard drugs really is. “Then the film crew reproduced the real crack house I saw and I think the scenes we shot of Louis in his drug den are some of the most authentic ever seen on TV. Emotional: Gregory as Louis with on-screen dad Charlie in Casualty (Photo: BBC) “It’s very emotional stuff, seeing poor Charlie come to terms with how wretched his son has become.” In last weekend’s blockbuster Charlie, played by Derek Thompson , 67, had a heart attack when Louis caused mayhem after gate-crashing Zoe and Max’s wedding. Viewers will discover if he has won his fight for life in Sunday’s BBC1 episode at 8pm.

In pictures - Casualty's explosive series finale: View gallery Gregory said: “A lot of fans have such affection for Charlie they yell at me in the street to stop being so nasty to him.” The star has an even bigger villain in his real family. His grandad is ex-Kray twins “enforcer” Freddie Foreman, 83, who was jailed for helping to dispose of murdered Jack “The Hat” McVitie’s body. But his personal life could not be happier now, as his girlfriend Kariss Rihoy, 26, is expecting their first baby in January. Video Loading Derek Thompson - IMDb IMDb Actor Derek Thompson was born on April 4, 1948 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He is an actor, known for Casualty (1986), The Long Good Friday (1980) and The Gentle Touch (1980). He is married to Dee Sadler . They have one child. He was previously married to Christine. See full bio » Born: a list of 15 people created 05 Apr 2015 Do you have a demo reel? Add it to your IMDbPage How much of Derek Thompson's work have you seen?

User Polls The Gentle Touch Det. Sgt. Jimmy Fenton (1980-1982) 1986 Fighting Back (TV Mini-Series) Bruce Curran 1985 The Price (TV Mini-Series) Frank Crossan 1984 Paper Dolls (TV Series) Male paramedic - Episode #1.8 (1984) ... Male paramedic 1983-1984 Brookside (TV Series) - Market Forces (1984) ... Will Thurley - Dulce (1983) ...

Will Thurley 1982 Harry's Game (TV Mini-Series) Billy Downes 1979 The Danedyke Mystery (TV Series) Tom Richards 1977 Play for Today (TV Series) Chet Ballad Isle Singer (as Elaine and Derek) Hide 2005 Cast & Crew (TV Series documentary) Himself 2004 Casualty Saved My Life (TV Movie documentary) Himself 1996 Playing Doctor (TV Movie documentary) Himself 1963 The 6:25 Show (TV Series) Himself - Performer - Episode #1.8 (1963) ... Himself - Performer (as Elaine and Derek) Hide Personal Details Other Works: He acted in the Repertoire Season in the National Theatre production at the Young Vic Theatre in London, England in William Shakespeare's play, "Troilus and Cressida;" play, "Emigres;" Hull Truck Company's play, "Bridget's House;" play, "The Man Himself;" Stephen Poliakoff's play, "Strawberry Fields;" play, "Four to One;" Fred ...

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Question: Who plays the part of Charlie Fairhead in TV's "Casualty"?
Answer: Derek Thompson